Dynamo Kiev 0-0 FC Sheriff: Match Report

15 December 2010 08:24

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Stalemate in Kiev
Dynamo Kiev secured top spot in Europa League Group E but once again failed to beat FC Sheriff in a goalless draw.
Having already qualified, Dynamo's target - aside from top spot - was avenging their only defeat of the campaign, which came against Sheriff, 2-0, in Moldova.
But despite dominating the match and enjoying chance after chance, they could not find the goal that would give them victory.
With BATE Borisov suffering a 3-0 defeat in Alkmaar, Dynamo finished one point clear at the top of the group.
That, at least, will ease the frustration that built up on a night when they desperately lacked cutting edge in front of goal.
It was the visitors who had the first chance of the game, but it was also their last of the half, coming to naught when Vladimir Volkov's shot sailed wide of the right-hand upright.
From then on, it was all Dynamo.
However, wayward shooting meant visiting goalkeeper Dmitri Stajila mainly occupied himself taking goal-kicks, with saves rarely asked of him.
Artem Milevskiy had a shot charged down by Fred Nelson before Ebert Betao blazed over the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Veteran forward Andriy Shevchenko fared little better with his effort going wide before Milevskiy was guilty of firing wildly over from close range.
Andriy Yarmolenko tried his luck from long range but could not keep the ball down before Roman Eremenko repeated the trick moments later.
Milevskiy then had another shot blocked by Jose Nadson as half-time approached.
Stajila made a rare save four minutes into the second half, keeping out Yarmolenko's shot.
The chances then dried up, and it was not until the 67th minute that there was another sight of goal. What made it even more unusual was that it came to the Moldovans, but the Brazilian Jymmy Franca missed from close range.
Dynamo were quickly back on the attack, but Shevchenko's shot was held easily by Stajila, who then also denied Yarmolenko as Sheriff stood firm to earn a point and frustrate Dynamo once again.